‘Ambitious group’ fight for role with Murray
Mathewson’s exit opens door for Munster’s next generation of No 9s to push Murray and learn from him too,
WHEN Munster Rugby announced the signing of former All Black scrum-half Alby Mathewson in August 2018, it was at a time of need in the No 9 jersey. Conor Murray’s neck/shoulder injury had kept him out since the start of the season and it was hoped an ex-Toulon star would add some vital experience and a touch of class too.
Mathewson’s stay in Limerick ended after last month’s draw with Racing 92 at Thomond Park, and his departure has left a considerable void.
The Kiwi’s experience will be missed but now a rejuvenated Murray must step up and lead a batch of quality scrum-halves in his own way.
The British & Irish Lion is one of the best nines in the world when he hits his stride, and at 30 his career should be in its peak years. Murray made his Munster debut way back in the 2009-10 season and since then has amassed 133 appearances and scored 27 tries for the province.
The Limerick native also has 78 caps for Ireland, with 14 tries in the process and he has been on two tours with the British & Irish Lions to Australia and New Zealand.
It has been a glittering career so far but having watched Mathewson, who turns 34 today, perform heroics at his age, that has encouraged Murray to keep striving to improve.
“I learned an awful lot off Alby,” says Murray.
“How he trained, approached the game and most of all how he saw the game. Me and all of the other nines just fed off him.”
Those other nines are towards the opposite end of their careers, and they will look to soak up as much expertise as possible from a great scrum-half in the coming years.
Nick McCarthy (24), Neil Cronin (27) and Craig Casey (20) haven’t worn Irish green at senior level, or even entered the British & Irish Lions conversation just yet, but anything is possible in the professional game.
“We are an ambitious group and everybody is working unbelievably hard. We are pushing each other,” says McCarthy.
“And there are loads of us competing for the two spots in the match-day 23 so it’s tough.”
Short-term
Mathewson came to Limerick on a short-term deal and was a big success, and despite a few contract extensions, the sheer weight of number nines at Munster means that his departure from the scene hasn’t yet affected the province on the field.
McCarthy’s arrival allowed for more wriggle room. They were well stacked at No 9 ahead of 2019-20 and now he is determined to push Murray all the way as the established understudy.
McCarthy had already made a huge impact with Leinster at the RDS, having featured on six occasions in the Champions Cup. But the chance to work under Murray was too good to resist.
Nevertheless, it won’t be a case of resting up and taking his place among the replacements every week either.
Cronin’s outstanding form with Garryowen in the Energia All-Ireland League didn’t go unnoticed and he was brought back into the fold by Munster head coach Johann van Graan last season.
He now has 18 professional appearances under his belt and provides massive energy every time he is called upon to contribute.
“Whoever gets the nod for the weekend has to make most of that opportunity because they know that someone else is breathing down their necks,” says Cronin.
“I don’t think of it as any negative, you have to use every sort of building block that you can.
“Having someone there that is looking to take your spot can only help you and make you play better, make you want to play better and give everything.”
Murray will still start the big games but in McCarthy and Cronin there are two very credible back-up options. And working with former Wallaby out-half Stephen Larkham has brought their creativity to another level.
Munster have always sought extra depth at No 9, from the days when Murray learned his trade from Peter Stringer and his battles with Tomás O’Leary.
But it’s not since Murray first emerged on the scene that Munster have had such an exciting prospect as Casey in the famous jersey.
Another Limerick native, Casey has already made two first-team appear
‘Having someone there looking to take your spot can only help and make you better’
ances but his most noteworthy minutes on the pitches were for Ireland in the U-20 Six Nations last season.
The World Rugby Junior Championship that followed didn’t go according to plan for Noel McNamara’s men, but they were crowned Grand Slam champions earlier in 2019.
Casey was sensational in Ireland’s shock opening round victory over a star-studded England at Irish Independent Park. He picked up a knee injury and missed the win against Scotland but returned in Italy.
Ireland backed up their success in Rieti with another stunning triumph over France in Cork. And although Casey was forced off late on before the Grand Slam decider at Wales, he had made his mark already.
Secured
He travelled to Argentina in the summer and was one of Ireland’s standout performers again, and before he returned to Limerick, the Shannon clubman had secured a development deal with Munster.
“For me, the other nines have been really helpful but really competitive as well,” says Casey.
“It is helping my development training against them, trying to show my hand. It has been really good.”
Casey will advance onto a full senior deal in 2020-21. Murray will be another year older at that stage and Munster should have an even more mouth-watering battle on their hands.
The scrum-half situation has never looked as healthy, but the pressure is on Murray to help his rivals on to the next level too.